Coast Guard rescues stranded kayakers by Gandy Bridge

ST. PETERSBURG — An early-morning fishing trip ended in a rescue mission when two kayakers were left without a paddle.

Coast Guard officials arrived around 1:30 a.m. Thursday and picked up the kayakers, who were stuck under the Gandy Bridge in St. Petersburg, according to the Coast Guard.

The men had gone out to a platform under the bridge to fish, but their paddle floated away while they climbed up the platform. Left with no way to propel their kayak, they used a cellphone to call for help.

The men and their kayak were taken back to the bridge's boat ramp, where family members were waiting. No injuries were reported.